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Definition of Client Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a form of counseling that is more goal-directed yet less confrontational than conventional methods.

  1. MI Defined

    • MI developers Dr. Stephen Rollnick and Dr. William R. Miller define it as a counseling style that promotes behavior modification by gently directing clients to examine their ambivalence toward the process of change.

    Spirit of MI

    • MI is a partnership between counselor and client to ease the client's fears of change and help him to help himself. The counselor uses empathetic listening, mirroring and guiding questions to coax the client away from negative, self-defeating statements to more positive, self-motivating "change talk."

    The Four Guiding Principles of MI

    • 1) Express Empathy: Demonstrate genuine, non-judgmental understanding of the client's perspective to promote rapport and forward momentum.

      2) Support Self-Efficacy: Recognize the client's autonomy and responsibility for change, help her realize change is possible and assist her to move toward it confidently.

      3) Roll with Resistance: Resistance to change is normal; don't challenge or reinforce it. Make it a springboard to further explore deep-seated issues.

      4) Develop Discrepancy: Help clients see the difference between their core values and their daily behavior to appreciate the usefulness of change.

    The Interaction Techniques of MI

    • The acronym OARS illustrates the main techniques of MI, used to create the forward momentum to change.

      1) Open-Ended Questions: Ask open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Work to elicit rapport, elaboration and exploration.

      2) Affirmations: Express statements that acknowledge the client's strengths and effort. Point out strengths where the client has seen only failure---re-frame---and be genuine. Reinforce the client's capacity to create change.

      3) Reflective Listening: Listen carefully to the client; note deep, unstated fears beneath the problem behavior. Just remember that MI is a directive approach. Reinforce positive, self-motivating statements---especially change and commitment talk---and give less attention to negative statements.

      4) Summaries: Summaries are a form of reflective listening where you reflect/mirror (but don't parrot) back what the client has been saying in order to build rapport, focus on essential points or change direction in a session.

    Main Uses

    • Motivational Interviewing is primarily used in individual or group counseling sessions to combat all types of addictions and promote positive change and healing.

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